Since the Bill Belichick – Tom Brady combo took over in 2001, the Pats have gone to the AFC Championship Game a crazy eight times for a record of 5-3. Folks, this is their ninth together. Not even Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw can claim that (they had six), and only three whole franchise histories have more.

Overall, New England is 7-3 in the Conference Championship in 44 seasons.

UPDATED LIST: Through the 2014 AFC Conference Championship (played on Jan. 18, 2015). The New England Patriots have now tied the Pittsburgh Steelers with the most AFC titles, eight. The Pats’ W-L PCT is a stellar .727. They are arguably the best performing team in AFC Conference Championship history. But the Denver Broncos are not far behind.